Audiology and Speech Language Pathology FAQs

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Question: I am an audiologist applying for initial Audiology license. Do I need to have a Hearing Instrument Specialist license in order to dispense hearing instruments?

No. The laws were changed during the 2017 Legislative Session. Effective August 24, 2017, licensed audiologists are now exempt from the requirement to be licensed as a Hearing Instrument Specialist. This means that actions that previously required an audiologist to hold both an Audiology and HIS license can now be performed with only an Audiology license.

Question: If I am a licensed audiologist, can I still hold a Hearing Instrument Specialist license?Yes, an audiologist can hold both an Audiology and Hearing Instrument Specialist license. The HIS license is no longer required.

Question: An applicant for initial Audiology license previously was able to apply for a “Hearing Instrument Specialist based on Audiology License" (HIS-A). What happened to that license?

The HIS-A license is no longer being offered for new Audiology license applicants. No new HIS-A licenses will be issued.

Question: If the HIS-A is no longer offered to new applicants, how would an audiologist obtain a Hearing Instrument Specialist license?

You will need to apply for Hearing Instrument Specialist license and meet all requirements as established through the Department of Health and Human Services with the recommendation from the Board of Hearing Instrument Specialists.

Question: Will an audiologist who applies for an initial Hearing Instrument Specialist License be exempt from paying the full fee and from taking the written and practical exam requirements?

No. A licensed audiologist who wishes to be issued a Hearing Instrument License will need to complete all requirements for licensure, including the full fee and passing of all exams.

Question: I am a licensed audiologist who currently holds an HIS-A license. What do I do now?

If you want to keep your HIS-A license, you will need to continue to meet the requirements for its renewal. If you don't wish to keep your HIS-A license, you can either request that your HIS-A license be put on inactive status or not renew and let the license expire on December 31, 2018.

Question: Can I continue to dispense hearing instruments without an HIS-A license?

Yes. A licensed audiologist is exempt from the requirement to maintain a separate HIS license. This means that services that previously required both an audiology and HIS license can now be performed with an active audiology license.

Question: Can I continue to maintain an active HIS-A license?Yes, you can keep your existing active HIS-A license. CE and renewal requirements to maintain an existing HIS-A license will remain the same.

Question: Will I be given a refund for my HIS-A license?No, there will not be any refunds issued for HIS-A licenses obtained prior to August 24, 2017.

Question: I am a licensed audiologist who also dispenses hearing instruments. Though I am exempt from holding an HIS license, is it necessary to earn separate continuing education for audiology and hearing instruments?

DHHS only requires a licensee to earn CE for a license they hold. So, an audiologist who holds only an audiologist license is required to only maintain CE for audiology. If a licensee holds both an Audiology and HIS license, CE would need to be earned for both licenses to be maintained.

Question: I am currently completing my externship in order to earn my Doctor of Audiology. Will I need to obtain a Hearing Instrument Specialist License in order to dispense hearing aids during my audiology externship?

No. Since an audiology student is able to perform the duties and functions of an audiologist while enrolled in an accredited college or university and supervised by a licensed audiologist, they are also exempt from the requirement to obtain a Hearing Instrument Specialist license.